Prep 2024: Plot - Beginning

1.) Status Quo (beginning) - Xiang visits the temple of Long Shui after a day at the rice paddies. He lights some incense, bows his head, and presses his hands together in prayer. A small frog peeps from the interior pond. Xiang turns to the frog and greets her with a bow. The frog telepathically addresses him and asks him questions about his day and his family. A small watery creature approaches the pond as Xiang answers the frog’s questions. Xiang smiles and pats the creature on the head, addressing her as He.

2.) Inciting Incident - Drums and trumpets sound through the village. Xiang goes out to investigate the commotion. He sees an elaborately patterned palanquin flanked by four soldiers. An official and a sage step out where the village leader greets them. The official announces that he and the sage are looking for a fatherless boy of 15 years. Xiang approaches the crowd, but tries not to bring attention to herself. However, the seer senses his presence and points him out. The official and the seer announce Xiang to be the son of the ruler of the land.